05.09.2007
Health and alcohol
EP waters down report on how to reduce alcohol-related harm
Given the extent and seriousness of alcohol-related harm in the EU, it is extremely disappointing that the EP has voted to water down its report on reducing alcohol-related harm by removing calls to harmonise EU health warnings on alcoholic drinks, in particular concerning pregnant women. This u-turn from the report adopted by the Environment and Public Health Committee, in response to the alcohol industry's lobby, sends the wrong signal about the approach of the EU to tackling this problem.
The European Parliament today adopted an amended report on an EU strategy for reducing alcohol-related harm, rejecting calls to harmonise EU health warnings on alcoholic drinks. Commenting on the report, German Green MEP Hiltrud Breyer, said:
Given the extent and seriousness of alcohol-related harm in the EU, it is extremely disappointing that the EP has voted to water down its report on reducing alcohol-related harm by removing calls to harmonise EU health warnings on alcoholic drinks, in particular concerning pregnant women. This u-turn from the report adopted by the Environment and Public Health Committee, in response to the alcohol industry's lobby, sends the wrong signal about the approach of the EU to tackling this problem. Read more...
MEP Hiltrud Breyer's press release download.